Brazil's Neymar takes part in training: 'Did you miss me?'

The 34-year-old briefly works with teammates before continuing individual training

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Brazil Training - Columbia Park Training Facility, Morristown, New Jersey, US - Jun 17, 2026 Brazil's Neymar Jr during training IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Caean Couto

Neymar returned to the Brazil practice field on Wednesday for the first time since sustaining a calf injury last month.

The 34-year-old, who has scored more goals than anyone in Brazilian international history (79), briefly worked with teammates on the field before resuming work on the sideline.

As he walked into practice with a few teammates, Neymar looked at media members in attendance and jokingly prodded them, "Did you miss me?"

After he sustained a calf injury May 17 while playing for Santos, Neymar returned to practice for the first time in the US on Tuesday, working off to the side.

Should he make an appearance in this World Cup, it would be his first for Brazil since October of 2023, when he sustained a torn left ACL and meniscus in a match against Uruguay.

Brazil's media corps has reported that the team medical staff is hoping to have Neymar back for the knockout round, labeling him unlikely for the remaining Group C matches against Haiti on Friday and Scotland on Jun 24.

Scotland is currently atop Group C through one batch of matches behind its 1-0 defeat of Haiti while Brazil and Morocco drew 1-1.